# NTSB GAA17CA076: Cessna 172, N737MY, Salmon, ID, November 8, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 8, 2016, 13:25 local (20:25 UTC) - Place: Salmon, ID - Coordinates: 45.104721, -114.798614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1047&lon=-114.7986&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94418/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94418 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA076 ## Probable cause The airplane's encounter with a depression in a dirt runway during takeoff, which resulted in a tail strike. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff on a dirt runway he rotated the airplane and as it "went through a dip in the airstrip" he felt a "thump" [tail strike]. The pilot further reported that the airplane became airborne and he continued the flight uneventfully. During a postflight inspection, it was revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the bulkhead and lower skin of the tail cone. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff on a dirt runway he rotated the airplane and as it "went through a dip in the airstrip" he felt a "thump" [tail strike]. The pilot further reported that the airplane became airborne and he continued the flight uneventfully. During a postflight inspection, it was revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the bulkhead and lower skin of the tail cone. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737MY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N737MY), registered now, S/N 17269533, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17269533 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 6885.3 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Mccall Aviation Inc, doing business as McCall Air - Registered owner: Jls II LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 4, 2016 - Departed: 85U, Salmon, ID - Destination: I08, BIG CREEK RANGER STATION, ID - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 85U, Soldier Bar Usfs, runway 07, 1,650 × 15 ft, gravel - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 12, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,447 total, 782 in this make and model, 1,330 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.36 inHg - Observed at: KSMN, 39 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20161108025039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161108025039A), Nov 8, 2016: Cessna 172N, Salmon, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot stated: he departed mccall airport for 85U to pick up cargo from a hunting camp. After loading the cargo he was on take off about to rotate when he felt… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94418. 720 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455952&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of Mechanic) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 273 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Mechanic)-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.